Propeller assembly for aircraft



May 24, 1938. R; K. oDoR v PROPELLER ASSEMBLY FOR AIR- CRAFT v Filed July 31,' 1934 s sheets-shea 1 v l w May 24, 1938. R. K. ODOR i PROPELLER ASSEMBLY FOR AIRCRAFT Filed July'l, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 24, 1938. I R. K. ODOR 2,118,052

I PROPELLER. ASSEMBLY FOR'AIRG-RAFT Fild July 31, 19:54 s' sheets-sheet s Patented May 24, 193s I UNITED s 'rii'ri-:s

PATENT OFFICE 2,118,052 PRoPELLEa ASSEMBLY Foa AIRCRAFT Ralph K. Odor, Edmond, Okla. IApplication July 31, 1934, seria1No. '137,844

13 Claims.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a novel air propeller assembly affording increased propeller efficiency, and, for'aircraft, increased thrust and lift, higher speeds, and increased factors of safety. f

To the aforesaid primary ends, other -and more specific objects of the invention as applied to aircraft are to modify and amplify the slip-stream action to afford increased lift and to thereby make higher altitudes possible; to reduce the required extended wing area of heavier-than-air craft and thereby to reduce drag; to reduce ilat face resistance; to permit use of propellers of relatively small radius and the eicient operation of propellers at higher speeds; to provide a plurality of selective effective airplane controls less liable to failure; to afford a greater structural factor of safety; to reduce the side-slipping characteristics of airplanes; and to aiord relatively great longitudinal stability andA generally better control of airplanes when the motor is inoperative.

In the attached drawings: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic sectional View illustrating the principle of my invention, and

an airplane incorporating the invention.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, my invention contemplates the use of a substantially tubular structure I of novel form which in assembly is 1ocated rearwardly of and substantially coaxially with the propeller 2. Characteristic features of the structure I are the tubular form of its leading end and the rearward extension of the upper portion of thisleading end to provide the substantially semi-tubular trailing end. In a prev ferred embodiment the overhanging portion 3 of the structure I exceeds substantially in length the leading tubular portion, and the diameter of the leading end of the structure substantially equals the diameter of the propeller-disk areav so that substantially the entire slip-stream is confined within the structure.

In a preferred embodiment of my invention, the upper portion of the structure I including the overhanging trailing portion is substantially uniform in wall thickness with rounded leading edge and sharpened trailing edge, and thisportion-of the structure is slightly cambered in the longitudinal direction and extendssubstantially parallel to the tubular axis. At the forward end, the wall thickness of the upper portion of the structure gradually increases to merge with the lower portionl 4 of the tube, which possesses longitudinally a cross section of a typical airfoil.

Figs.` 2, 3, 4 and 5 are, respectively, front and' side elevation, and top and inverted plan views of i In the illustrated embodiment of Vmy invention, this airfoil corresponds to the Clark Y-I5 and is arranged at the bottom of the tube at an angle of attack of about 6,thereby affording a diameter at the rear of the tubular portion somewhat 5 in excess of that at the leading end and a throaty restriction in the interior of this portion about one-third the axial length of this portion from the leading end.

I have discovered that with a tubular structure of this general character located as described with respect to the propeller, and at suitably high propeller speeds a true vortex may be developed by the propeller action within the forward or completely tubular end portion, and it is one of the functions of this tubular iorwardend portion to generate this vortex.. I have discovered further that this vortex disintegrates in the area adjoining the rear end of the forward tubular section of the structure I, and that in. this disintegration the dynamic force created by the propeller is converted into a static energy .exertassembly in advance of the leading edge of the upper extended portion of the structure. The structure is designed to control the formation and disintegration of the vortex, so that the static energy released by such disintegration may act to best advantage.

As stated above, the propeller is located in the assembly in advance of the leading edge of the tubular structure, and preferably, and as illustrated, the propeller is spaced from saidleading edge to an extent equal approximately to onefourth of the diameter of the propeller disk area. When, as described, the propeller is driven at a speedsumcient to convert the slip-stream ow into thepower movement of a true vortex,ol speed say of 6000 R. P. M. in the case of an assembly employing a propeller having a disk area diameter of 17", and greater or lesser as the 40 size of the propeller required by the assembly l is decreased or increased,-there is set up within the tube, probably as a result of the condensation of the propeller slip-stream air in the vortex and the high linear velocity of the latter, a condi- 45 tion which causes large volumes of air to be inducted into the front-end of the tube through the annular space between the periphery of the propeller disk and the edge of the tube. This inducted air is in addition to the normal propeller slip-stream which, in the form of assembly illustrated, is entirely embraced by the tube, so that the entire volume of air displaced through the tube by the propeller action is very greatly in excess of the volume representing the normal capacity of the propeller at the same speed and uncombined with the tubular structure.

'Ille normal slip-stream of a propellershowsa convergent cone immediately behind the propeller which rapidly changes into a cone of divergence. When the tubular structure is arranged as described with respect to the propeller, the -lead ing end of the structure encircles the propeller .slip-stream within the area of said convergent cone,- and the inner surface contour at the bottom of the forward end of the structure as viewed in Figure 1 conforms approximately to the contour of the normal slip-stream of apropeller operated at a conventional propellerspeed.- The axial contour of the inner surface of that side 'of the structure which includes the overhanging trailing end conforms, on the other hand, tothe contour of the whole body of air passing through the tube, and there is accordingly substantial freedom from turbulence over this surface.

' This tubular structure under test and through a wide range of angle of attack displays in itself favorable lift and drag characteristics. With the propeller in operation these-characteristics are improved to a marked degree. This improvement in lift and drag characteristics is derived primarily from the controlled and modified slipstream action described above, which action is distinct from that controlling the corresponding characteristics of a'wing-ofgiven-airfoil section I from vacuum formed wing can to a large extent be avoided` Landing speeds, for example, may be'materially reduced,

, since the lift is not solelyV dependent upon the emciency of the airfoil wing as in the present standard airplane design. Similarly, my invention permits flight at higher altitudes than is ob- 'tai'nable by the usual airplane design, since the ceilingv is not determined solely by vacuum. lift land is therefore not affected in the same desreby the rarefledfatmospheres met at the higher altitudes. 'Ihe increased'llft obtainable by my invention also permits increased rate of climb, a feature that is aided by the fact that the-lift of the tubular structure reaches a maximumat an angle of attack materially greater than that at whihthe liftfoi.' an airfoil wing begins to decline. 'A

In an airplane incorporating my invention, the great lift obtained in the propeller assembly makes possible a'substantial reductionfin wing areawith a consequent corresponding decrease of induced drag due tothe wings. While there lis some lndueedldreg ln the hmmm menue or the assembly, this drag is relatively smell lis-eumpared with the vdrag decrease effected by 'redue.

tionofrwing and ilat face. Thisreducf tionintotal'dragmakespossiblemateriallyin- .is further aided by the improved propeller performan ps'eviomly, mentioned, and ability to operate thepmpelle delently'athiglier speeds ofrotation.

connnedtothecontrolledslip-stream'area. In

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' tubular portion.

the ferm of en einen s 'et the beek of the tubular structure I.` 'I'his control may be constituted to function as a simple stabilizer, an elevator, an.

ailer'on, or as a combination of two or more of these elements. In the embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 2 to 5,- inelusive, the conventional controls are located outside of the controlled'slip-` not only by assisting at the takeoff in getting the ships quickly into a safely maneuverable position, but also by permitting better and stronger aircraft construction. 'I'he yassembly exerts a definite directional 'force affording exceptional longitudinal stability and freedom from side-slip.

.In the event of the motor cutting out, the tubular structure provides a centralized area of airI pres- A sure affording'a definite parachute action.

In the drawings, I have shown the engine nacelle Smounted in the front of the tubular structure I, butlthis arrangement of the power source is not essential to the assembly, Iand it may be placed in a position-remote to the propeller assembly.

It will be understood also that the propeller assembly has usefulapplication to all known types of aircraft and is -not limited to airplanes nor to the specific airplane construction illustrated in the drawings.

of the substantially tubular structure disclosed, and that there may be modication in this respect without departure from the invention as It will be further understood that the invention is not limited to the specific form 40 bination a propeller, and a tubular structure. Vspaced rearwardly'fromand substantially concentric with the propeller, said structure having a tubular leading portion constructed and arranged with respect to the' propeller to receive the entire propeller slip-stream, and having a semi-tubular trailing portion, the interior surface or sem structure el: the eide' which includes seid f trailing portion having an axial cross sectional contour approximately paralleling the tubular axis, and having at the opposite vside of the tube a contour conforming substantially to the upper surface of a typical airfcilsection, said latter `eontourbeingdisposed'angularlywithrespectto the tubular axis with lthe leading edge o! said contour closer to said axis than the trailing edge thereof, thereby slightly the area of the im onoverthati'. mspeedsofnlghgmdmclmendo etubnlarieadingporti Y of the forward end,'and said contours merging'- smoothly one intotheotheratthesidesofsaid 2. ooma mopellenand a'mbular structure Vrearwardly from and centric withlthe propeller, said atubular'leadingendandaaenl-talillartrailpropeller einem-eem eneteconvercthe new Qfsaid slip-stream into powert of respect'to the propeller to'receivevtlle entire merging smoothly into each other at oppositel a true vortex, the space between the periphery of the propeller disk area and the leading edge of said structure aiording access for now of air induced by said vortex to the interior of the structure in addition to the normal propeller slipstream. v

3. An aero-dynamic device vcomprising in combination a propeller, and a tubular structure spaced rearwardly from and substantially' concentric with the propeller, said structure having a tubular leading end and a'semi-tubular trailing end and being constructed and arranged with respect to the propeller to receive the entire propeller slip-stream and to convert the flow of said slip-stream into the power movement of a true Vortex, said tube being symmetrical with respect to an axial plane bisecting said trailing end, andthe diametrical section defined by said plane exhibiting an inner surface contour at the side which includes the trailing end extending approximately parallel to the tubular axis and affording a flow of air over that portion of the inner surface of the tubesubstantially free from turbulence, and the inner surface contour at the other side of said diametrlcal section conforming substantially to the upper surface of a typical airfoil section and being disposed with respect to the tubular axis so as to slightly increase the area of the rear end of the said tubular leading portion over that of the forward end, and said contours merging smoothly into each other at opposite sides of said axial plane.

4. An aero-dynamic device comprising in combination a propeller, and a tubular structure spaced rearwardly from and substantially con-- centric with the propeller, said structure having a'tubular leading end and a semi-tubular trailing end and being constructed and arranged with respect to the propeller to receive the entire propeller slip-stream and to convert the flowl of said slip-stream into the power movement of a true vortex, said tube being symmetrical with respect to an axial plane bisecting said trailing end, and the diametrical section defined by said plane exhibiting an inner surface contour at the side which includes the trailing end extending approximately'parallel to the tubular axis and aording a iiow of air over that portion of the inner surface ofthe tube substantially free from turbulence, and the inner surface contour at the other side of said diametrical section conforming substantially to a normal-slip-stream contour of said propeller, and said contours merging smoothly into each other at opposite sides of said axial plane.

5. In combination, a propeller and a tubular structure positioned at the rear of and in axial alignment with said propeller, the forward tubular end of the structure forming a circle embracing the propeller slip-stream within the area of its convergence at therear of, the propeller,

whereby said tube is adapted to receive said slip-stream in its entirety, said structure having a semi-tubular trailing end, the inner surface of said structure on. an axial cross section extending through said trailingv end having a contour including the semi-tubular portion that approximately parallels the tubular axis, and the inner sides of the plane rof said cross section.

6. In combination, a propeller, and a tubular structure positioned at the rear of and in axial alignment with said propeller, the forward tubular end of the structure forming a circle of diameter substantially the same as that of the propeller disk area and being spaced from the propeller at a distance approximately one-fourth of said diameter, said structure having a semitubular trailing end exceeding in length the tubular leading end and being adapted to convert the propeller slipstreamflow into the power movement of a true vortex, an axial cross section bisecting-the said semi-tubular trailing end exhibiting an inner surface contour extending through said semi-tubular portion conforming substantially to the contour of the body of air passing through the tube, and at the opposite side of said section a contour conforming approximately to a normal propeller slip-stream contour.

'7. In combination, a propeller, and a tubular structure positioned at the rear of and in axial alignment with said propeller, the forward tubular end of the structure forming a circle of diameter substantially the same as that of the propeller disk areaand being spaced from the propeller at a distance approximately one-fourth of said diameter, said structure having a seniltubular trailing end exceeding in length the tubular leading end 'and being adapted to convert the propeller slip-stream flow into the power movement of a true vortex, an axial cross section bisecting the said semi-tubular trailing endexhibiting an inner surface contour extending through said semi-tubular portion substantially parallel to' the tubular axis and conforming to .the contour of the whole body of air passing through the tube, and at the opposite side of said section a convexly curved contour approximating the upper surface of a typical airfoil section, said latter contour forming a restricting throat in the tubular leading end of the structure relatively close to the leading end of the tube and affording a diameter at the rear end of the tube in excess of that at the forward end, and said contours merging smoothly into each other at the opposite sides of said cross section.

8. An aero-dynamic device comprising in combination a propeller, and a tubular structure spaced rearwardly from and substantially concentric with the propeller, said structure having a tubular leading end and a semi-tubular trailing end and being constructed and arranged with respect to the propeller to receive the entire propeller slip-stream and to l convert the iiow of said slip-stream into the power movement of a true Vortex, an engine for driving the propeller positioned immediately behind the latter, and a housing for said engine projecting into the forward end of said tube and shaped to conform substantially with the vortex cavity.

9. An aero-dynamic device comprising in combination a prop'eller, and a tubular structure spaced rearwardly from and substantially con-v centric with the propeller, said structure having a tubular leading endl and a semi-tubular trailing end and being constructed and arranged with respect to the propeller to receive the entire propeller slip-stream and to convert the oW of said slip-stream into the power movement of a true vortex, means for driving said propeller, and means behind said propeller and projecting into the forward end oi said tube shaped to conform substantially with the vortex cavity.

10. An aero-dynamic device for use in aircraft, said device comprising a propeller, a tubular structure arranged behind and in axial alignment with the propeller for reception of thepropeller slip-stream and comprising a tubular leading end and an overhanging semi-tubular trailing end, the upper portion of said structure including the said trailing end extending substantially parallel to the tubular axis, and the lower portion of the tubular leading end having an axial cross section of a typical airfoil with an angle of attack ailording'a diameter at the rear v conform substantially to the contour of the whole body of air passing through the tube, and the lower portion oi' the tubular leading end having lan axial cross section of a typical airfoil with an angle of attack affording a diameter at the rear end of the tube in excess of that at the forward end and a restricted throat adjacent said forward end. y

12. An aero-dynamic device for use in aircraft, said device comprising a propeller and a tubular structure arranged behind and in axial alignment with the propeller for reception of the propeller slip-stream and comprisingl a tubular leading end and an overhanging semi-tubular trailing end. said structure being formed to convert the ilow of said slip-stream into the power movement of a true vortex, the upper portion of said structure including the said trailing end being shaped to conform substantially to the contour oi' the whole body of air passing through the tube, and the lower portion of the `tubular leading end having an axial cross sec-n tion of a typical airfoil with an angle of attack` aiording a diameter at the rear end of the tube in excess oi.' that at the forward end and a restricted throat adjacent said forward end, and thecircular forward end oi. the structure cor-f y responding in `diameter substantially to the diameter of the propeller -disk area and being spaced rearwardly from the latter at a distance of about one-fourth oi' said diameter.

13. A propeller assembly comprising a struc-- ture having a substantially tubular leading end and an overhanging substantially semi-tubular trailing end, the upper portion of said structure including the said trailing end-extending substantially parallel to the tubular axis, and the lower portion of the leading end having an axial cross section oi a typical airfoil with an angle oi attack affording a greater diameter at therear end of the said tubular leading end than at the front end, and a propeller mounted in coaxial position in advance' of said leading end, the interior of said leading end at a point adjacent to'but rearwardly of its forward extremity being somewhat smaller in diameter than the propeller disk area and being shaped to receive the entire propeller slip-stream.

RALPH K.- oDoR. 

